Netgear's Universal WiFi Range Extender now available for balding home networks

Few things in life are more aggravating than WiFi dead spots -- especially when you've just settled in to stream the latest Game of Thrones episode, after a long and excruciating week of tech blogging. Good thing that Netgear's Universal WiFi Range Extender, first spotted at this year's CES, is now available for shipping. This discrete white cube promises to bring connectivity to remote regions of your lair by automatically mirroring the wireless signal emitted from your gateway. Just use the device's LED indicator to find the area where the extender would optimize its reach, plug it into any ol' AC outlet, and those ugly pockets of wireless death will suddenly spring back to life (think of it as Rogaine for your WiFi router). It also supports 802.11 b/g/n and is compatible with WEP, WPA and WPA2 security standards, in case you were wondering. You can find the extender at retailers located all over this green Earth, where it'll be priced at around $90. If that tickles your fancy, head past the break for the full PR.

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- NETGEAR®, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR), a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, announces the easy and affordable solution for eliminating wireless dead spots at home: the new NETGEAR Universal WiFi Range Extender (WN3000RP), now available from major retailers worldwide.

A rapidly expanding constellation of Internet-enabled mobile and entertainment devices including tablets, smartphones, Blu-ray players, game consoles, laptops and televisions are connecting to WiFi networks from around the house and even outside on decks and patios. A big driver for this trend is the increasing availability of movies, TV shows and other video through online streaming. Consumers want to watch streaming video on their laptops, tablets and Internet-capable televisions, creating greater demand for strong WiFi connections.

This makes WiFi dead spots more unwelcome than ever, but the answer up to now – running an Ethernet cable through walls and ceilings to add a second wireless access point – has been inconvenient and complicated.

The NETGEAR Universal WiFi Range Extender increases the coverage of home networks by automatically repeating the wireless signal from a WiFi router or gateway.

The extender is a single, compact, self-contained white cube that plugs into any AC outlet. No new wiring is required, and setup takes only a few minutes. When paired with routers that have a "Push 'N' Connect" (WiFi Protected Setup) button, the only configuration required is simply pressing the "Push 'N' Connect" button on the router and then on the extender.

Dynamic LED indicators on the extender help find the best location for WN3000RP in the home, usually about halfway between the router and the wireless dead spot.

The extender supports 802.11b/g/n and works with all common WiFi security standards including WEP, WPA and WPA2.

"Today consumers are connecting more and more wireless mobile devices and Internet-capable TVs to their networks, from more places in the home. These devices are often used for high-bandwidth activities, such as video streaming and multi-player games, that require rock-solid WiFi connections," said Damir Skripic, Product Line Manager for Connected Entertainment at NETGEAR. "The NETGEAR Universal WiFi Range Extender makes it possible to enjoy a robust wireless connection in remote corners of the house or outdoors, in places that now have low or no WiFi signal."

Pricing and Availability

The NETGEAR Universal WiFi Range Extender (WN3000RP) is now available worldwide from major retailers – in stores and online –with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $89.99 in the United States.